PhD position in global health with a focus on antibiotic resistance

Published: 2017-05-10

Uppsala University is an international research university focused on the development of science and education. Our most important assets are all the individuals who with their curiosity and their dedication make Uppsala University one of Sweden’s most exciting work places. Uppsala University has 40,000 students, 7,000 employees and a turnover of SEK 6,5 billion.

Uppsala Antibiotic Center (UAC) was announced in 2015 to bring together, stimulate and support research addressing important questions regarding antibiotic resistance from all three disciplinary domains at UU: Medicine and Pharmacy, Science and Technology and Humanities and Social sciences. UAC is now advertising 14 PhD positions.

Antibiotic resistance is a rapidly expanding global problem. The complexity of the current situation requires novel approaches in all scientific disciplines including new antibiotics, better understanding of resistance development, faster diagnostic methods, new economic models for drug development, global governance and better understanding of how to change behavior around the use of antibiotics and spread of pathogenic bacteria.

The present position is located at the Department of Women’s and Children’s health, International Maternal and Child Health (IMCH). We seek a highly-motivated individual, with the ability to work independently and a strong interest in pursuing a PhD degree in medicine with a focus on global health and antibiotic resistance. IMCH at Uppsala University has a strong research and teaching environment with an overall global focus and many international collaborating links. IMCH has around 60 scientists, including 20 PhD students and runs a master program in International Health.

Project description: Antibiotic resistance is considered one of the greatest threats to global public health. All use of antibiotics promotes resistance and measures to improve use are urgently needed. A newly developed electronic algorithm for the management of acute childhood illness, ALMANACH, resulted in an 80% reduction in antibiotic prescription without compromising health outcome in Tanzania. Integrating C-reactive protein (CRP) point of care test (POCT) to the ALMANACH algorithm could further improve identification of infections requiring antibiotics.

This project aims to study the impact of implementing ALMANACH as a tool to improve the use of antibiotics and the management of acute childhood (2-59 months) illnesses across different health system levels in Ujjain, India in a cluster-randomized controlled trial and separately pilot the feasibility of integrating CRP POCT to the ALMANACH. A context appropriate facilitation strategy will be developed as a consequence of formative research and serve as the main implementation strategy for supporting the change in clinical practice.

The project finally targets the sustainability of the implemented interventions employing ethnography to explore the political, social, cultural and biological aspects of the context, innovations, facilitation and recipients one year post implementation. The transdisciplinary approach is fundamental for a holistic understanding, setting a precedent for how different perspectives can be brought together in studying interventions to address antibiotic resistance.

Duties: The successful candidate will engage in research work and doctoral studies. Other duties at the department, i.e. administration and teaching, may be included in the employment up to a maximum level of 20%. Salary is subject to established local guidelines.

The successful candidate will be part of an international and transdisciplinary research project aimed to test the effect of the new clinical algorithm in India to improve the use of antibiotics and get a deepened understanding of current perceptions of antibiotic use and change management. The doctoral student will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the project, analyzing data and finally to draft and submit manuscripts to peer-reviewed international journals and partake in communicating findings in India as well as internationally. The candidate is expected to frequently travel and spend time at the project site.

Qualifications:

Due to the challenging nature of working within a transdisciplinary project to be carried out in a resource limited setting the ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

Masters degree within international public health or equivalent.

A minimum of 7-10 years professional experience.

A strong understanding of antibiotic resistance from a global health perspective including its development and spread, consequences and methods for containment.

Ability to travel for 3-4 months at time and for shorter periods throughout the project.

Superior communication skills and excellent English written and oral skills.

To be employed as a PhD student, the applicant must be accepted in a doctoral program. Information concerning doctoral education, requirements and rules of admission can be found at http://www2.medfarm.uu.se/utbildning/forskarniva/. The length of the study period for full time employment is a maximum of four years. Terms for graduate studies can be found in Högskoleförordningen 5 kap 1-7 §§.

Application:

Please submit your application including i) a Cv, ii) a letter describing your research interests, skills and motivation to apply for the position, iii) publications and/or a copy of master thesis together with iv) two reference letters. The Cv and the personal letter should be written in English. Rules governing Ph.D. candidates are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala university's rules and guidelines http://regler.uu.se/Rules_and_regulations_in_English/

Uppsala University strives to be an inclusive workplace that promotes equal opportunities and attracts qualified candidates who can contribute to the University’s excellence and diversity. We welcome applications from all sections of the community and from people of all backgrounds.

Pay: According to local agreement for PhD students and teaching assistants.

Starting: 1 January 2018

Working hours: Fulltime

For further information about the position please contact Prof Andreas Mårtensson, email: andreas.martensson@kbh.uu.se or Dr Anna Bergström email: anna.bergstrom@kbh.uu.se.

You are welcome to submit your application no later than 7 June 2017, UFV-PA 2017/1688.

Are you considering moving to Sweden to work at Uppsala University? If so, you will find much information about working and living in Sweden at www.uu.se/joinus. You are also welcome to contact the International Faculty and Staff Services at ifss@uadm.uu.se.

We decline offers of recruitment and advertising help. We only accept the application the way described in the advertisement.

Placement:
Department of Women's and Children's Health

Type of employment:
Full time
, Temporary position longer than 6 months